Needing Some Advice for Cushion Cut

[SanGaai]

Hi everyone, I am a very beginner at this so please go gentle. I am looking to get a cushion cut for a custom ring that I am designing to propose with. After some research it looks like even though Cushion cuts have guidelines on the depth and table, it also depends on the look that you are after. I have been search around and found that the tables and depth varies quite a bit. I've met with a diamond seller today and they have given me a few choices. After looking through them, I've chosen one, but am having second thoughts. I need some opinions and comments. Here's the information on the diamond.

Cushion Cut
Table Depth: 73.8%
Table Width: 65%
Crown Height: 15%
Pavilion Depth: 55%
Girdle Thickness: Thin to Slight Thick, Faceted
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Cutlet: None

1.20 ct, F Color, VS1
6.18 x 5.58 x 4.12

Also the diamond is graded by E.G.L. which I read is a "loose" grader compared to GIA.

Can someone give me some comments about the diamond and/or what I should be looking for? My girlfriend's family is in the jewelry business so she will DEFINITELY pick up on details of the diamond. I just don't want to break the bank doing this.

Thanks all in advance and looking forward to your comments!

 

[slg47]

do you have any images?

 

[SanGaai]

Sorry they didn't provide images as I am still diamond shopping and I've only seen the stone in real life. I have a scan of the cert....

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You absolutely have to have images of the stone. You can't judge fancy cut diamonds without a picture at the very least. That one looks like it faces up pretty small, though, probably because it is too deep. Just to show you some dimensions, here is a 1.08 ct. cushion that is 6.4 X 5.8 mm:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8505/

Are you looking for modern cushion or an antique style like the one I posted? EGL certs are not all that reliable. Usually color is off by a couple of grades. So don't compare the price of an EGL F color to GIA F, compare it more to GIA H.

Oh, and if you like the cushion I posted, there probably couldn't be a type of cushion that would impress her parents more because they are ideal cut for light performance.

 

[slg47]

since you are looking for a cushion I would recommend this video which explains the different types of cushions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O7H8E_MYRM

 

[SanGaai]

Thanks for all the help. This is what I have from the cert, but the actual picture I don't have. I hear you guys about the EGL rating and that's what I was afraid of. I would rather get a GIA, but nice to know that it is a couple grades off.



I think I saw a couple where the table looks pretty wide from the top, I am not sure if that's a good thing for the cushion cut.

 

[SanGaai]

since you are looking for a cushion I would recommend this video which explains the different types of cushions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O7H8E_MYRM

Thanks for the link. I've studied this video and have learnt a lot! I am now thinking this diamond even though specs is OK, might not be the best. As they say having the size and losing the cut and brilliance. I also learnt that there's now hearts and arrows cushion cuts, which is awesome, but most likely out of my price range. Thanks for the awesome information, unfortunately it made the decision more difficult. (which is good, means that I need to shop some more)

 

[Gypsy]

I'm not a fan of that particular facet pattern, but that's a personal preference. I wouldn't buy an EGL stone unless it was an antique stone. I just wouldn't.

 

[slg47]

since you are looking for a cushion I would recommend this video which explains the different types of cushions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O7H8E_MYRM

Thanks for the link. I've studied this video and have learnt a lot! I am now thinking this diamond even though specs is OK, might not be the best. As they say having the size and losing the cut and brilliance. I also learnt that there's now hearts and arrows cushion cuts, which is awesome, but most likely out of my price range. Thanks for the awesome information, unfortunately it made the decision more difficult. (which is good, means that I need to shop some more)

I have a H&A cushion and I think they are beautiful They are more $$ though!

ETA what is your budget? we can help find some online diamonds for comparison if you'd like?

 

[SanGaai]

The H&A Cushion is definitely an awesome diamond. Unfortunately it is out of my budget. I have a range of about $4k to $5k for the diamond and looks like it is doable at 1.00ct.

After some research, I am not a fan of the EGL diamonds either, and sounds like a lot of people have the same feeling. Unfortunately, this jeweler that I've been talking to sells mostly EGL diamonds. I don't have that trust level of their ratings after all my research.

What is a realistic specs for my price range for a GIA rated cushion? After reading, I've decided to look for a cushion along the following specs:

1.00 ct
F or G color
VS2 ?
Table width of 55% to 65%
Depth around the 60% range

Definitely looking for more of a square cushion. Am I unrealistic with my budget?

 

[slg47]

are you looking for a modern or vintage style cushion?

ETA here are some options...JA can provide ASETs for up to 3 diamonds and also provide gemologist evaluation
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1362665.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1281593.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1281483.asp

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/4270/
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/7138/

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.01-carat-g-si1-a-cut-beyond-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-15233.html (you could also call ERD if you are interested in a more modern style cushion, I think they have some that are not listed on their website with pictures)

 

[SanGaai]

Thanks for the links. Those are starting to look more inline of what I am looking for. I am definitely looking for a more modern cut, as I really like the shine to it. Looks like my budget isn't too far off. Unfortunately I am in Canada which might make buying from a US more trouble.

For a diamond purchase, I might be more willing to deal with a dealer here in person, as they can give me more direction and I can also see the diamond in person.The problem is that I am trying to find a jeweler who will be able to get a good diamond for me, and will be able to make the ring that I want. I've seen a couple in town but I haven't been able to find one that fits. One that is really good is a bit pricy, the cheaper one seems to be less personable.

When you guys get your diamonds, do they usually show you all the flaws under the scope correctly and spend the time to go over the diamond with you? I would much prefer that.

Thanks!

 

[slg47]

Thanks for the links. Those are starting to look more inline of what I am looking for. I am definitely looking for a more modern cut, as I really like the shine to it. Looks like my budget isn't too far off. Unfortunately I am in Canada which might make buying from a US more trouble.

For a diamond purchase, I might be more willing to deal with a dealer here in person, as they can give me more direction and I can also see the diamond in person.The problem is that I am trying to find a jeweler who will be able to get a good diamond for me, and will be able to make the ring that I want. I've seen a couple in town but I haven't been able to find one that fits. One that is really good is a bit pricy, the cheaper one seems to be less personable.

When you guys get your diamonds, do they usually show you all the flaws under the scope correctly and spend the time to go over the diamond with you? I would much prefer that.

Thanks!

I think the level of customer service at different jewelers varies. I would certainly want someone to go over the diamonds with me individually and not rush me into a purchase!

 

[SanGaai]

Thanks for everyone's help on here! I know know much more about the cushion cut and really narrowed down to what I am looking for. I'll come back and post more specs as they come.

Update:
I asked for some GIA 1ct cushion with better tables and this is what they sent.

1.01 E SI1 5.79X 5.78X 3.88, table-65% , depth 67% +$400 CDN or so
1.01 F VS2 5.72X 5.70X 3.94, table-63%,depth-69.1% +$1200 CDN or so

Notice the huge difference going from a 1.20 EGL graded F VS1 to these GIA 1.01ct. So I definitely agree that this proves the EGL grading is a few grades below GIA. Even with the updated and more expensive diamonds, I am leaning towards finding another dealer.

Does anyone know someone in the Great Vancouver area?

 

[chamois]

I'm in BC too and when I wanted a cushion I ended up going with GOG (Good Old Gold) because there was nothing here on offer that came close to what I wanted. I don't regret my purchase either, best choices and price.